This course is an introduction to rational choice theories and their uses in political science. It will address the logic of rational choice analysis in both positive
and normative domains of inquiry. The course is not concerned primarily with imparting the techniques of rational choice analysis, but with exploring the
intuitive and theoretical issues that motivate any use of those techniques. The aim of the course is to provide students with a thorough understanding of the
issues involved in constructing rational choice analyses. Although the course does not presuppose familiarity with either game theory or the mathematics
needed to solve game theoretic problems, some prior knowledge of those topics will be an advantage.

Class attendance is not optional--if you need to miss class, please be prepared to explain why. The course will be run primarily as a lecture. However, I
actively encourage questions, interruptions, cries for help, protests of disbelief, etc. Nearly all of the readings for the course are from professional research
journals and similar sources (as opposed to pre-digested textbook versions). Consequently, many of you will have occasion to partake in all of these forms of
expression during the course of the semester. You will never be penalized for participating--even when this takes the form of vague complaints like, "I've got
no clue why we are reading this stuff or why it was written in the first place!" I urge--indeed, I expect--you to take advantage of the chance to talk to with me
during office hours.

There are two types of assignments: in-class presentations and take-home exams. This class will be run as a seminar: students
will rotate presenting and leading the discussion of the readings. Students who
are not presenting will be expected to bring three discussion questions and participate
actively. Class presentations and participation will count for 25% of your
grade for the course.

There will be three take-home exams to be distributed and due as noted on the schedule that follows. Each exam will count for 25% of your grade for the
course. I do not grade on a curve. You can anticipate having to write approximately ten typed pages for each assignment. I will distribute exams during class
on the specified days. Each exam will be due one week after it is distributed. Each exam will consist of several specific questions that deal primarily with
themes from the immediately preceding section or two of the course; the questions may, however, require that you draw connections to readings assigned
during earlier sections. I preface each exam by a set of specific instructions which we will go over in class.

The most important point about the written assignments for the course is that they must be on time. I will not accept late assignments. That said, I am a
reasonable person; if you anticipate a problem with submitting an assignment when it is due, speak to me before the assignment is distributed so that we can try
to work out an alternative arrangement.

It is essential that you keep up with the reading. Indeed, I expect you to have completed reading assignments before the class in which we discuss it (thus, the
quizzes). The exams draw directly on the required readings. Required texts for the course are available at the University Bookstore (they are also on two-hour
reserve at the Lee Library):

Jack Knight. 1992. Institutions and Social Conflict. Cambridge University Press.

Gary Miller. 1992. Managerial Dilemmas. Cambridge University Press.

William Riker. 1982. Liberalism Against Populism. Waveland.

Thomas Schelling. 1960. The Strategy of Conflict. Harvard University Press.

Michael Taylor. 1987. The Possibility of Cooperation. Cambridge University Press.

Required readings for the course are listed below in the order in which we will read them. Books
marked * are the required texts. The remainder of the readings are available to photocopy in the Department of
Political Science office (745 SWKT) in
the mailboxes in a box marked "PlSc 339R Readings". Some of the articles are available on-line through the
link on the title. (You must access them through a BYU computer.)